Slipknot drop new album hints as they headline opening night of Download Festival

Slipknot dropped some large hints that they will be returning with new material in the near future as they headlined the opening night of this year's Download Festival.

The Iowa metal band's last album 'All Hope Is Gone' was released in 2008 before the death of bassist Paul Gray, and they have never confirmed that they will be recording another LP.

However, during their 110-minute headline set, singer Corey Taylor told the crowd: "Don't be surprised if you see us again real soon", as well as later promising that they could "look forward to special fucking things in the future", suggesting that they may be planning for new material.

Taylor also spoke about the death of Gray and dedicated 'Duality' to his memory, telling the crowd: "We were last on this stage four years ago. This band has been through a lot in those four years. Because of the respect for each other, we've kept going, we've kept going for us, we’ve kept going for you and we’ve kept going for him [Gray]."

Slipknot were forced to stop their set twice to allow security to deal with the crowd, who broke the barricades at the front of the main stage during opener 'Disasterpiece'. The band, who were clad in new khaki coloured boiler suits and came onstage to a warped version of Billie Jo Spears' 'Get Behind Me Satan And Push', played a 20-song set that included tracks from across their career with highlights including 'Eyeless', the slow-burning 'Gently' and 'Psychosocial'.

Earlier in the day, Korn played at a soggy Donington Park with a greatest hits set on the festival’s Main Stage. As well as airing classics like 'Blind' and 'Freak On A Leash', the Bakersfield nu-metallers also dropped 'Narcissistic Cannibal' and 'Get Up' from their recent dubstep inspired record 'The Path Of Totality'.

They were followed on the Main Stage by Bullet For My Valentine, who played an hour-long set and backed by a lot of pyrotechnics. The band played three tracks from their new album 'Temper Temper', including opener 'Breaking Point' and 'Saints & Sinners' as well as smattering of cuts from their earlier records, including 'The Last Fight' and the closing 'Tears Don't Fall'.

Over on the Pepsi Max Stage, hardcore veterans Converge played a brutal set that showcased their new album 'All We Love We Leave Behind' as well as cuts from their early records, including 'Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast' and a ferocious 'Concubine'.

Download Festival continues today with sets from headliners Iron Maiden and the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Enter Shikari and Motorhead.